catwoman7

just so you know - it's not usually the surgeons who make you go through the pre-op diets (other than maybe for the week or two prior to surgery to shrink your liver) - it's the insurance companies. Mine required a six-month supervised diet sometime within the last two years (that is, the last two years before surgery). Some require a shorter period of time, some don't require a diet at all. Some will accept attempts through places like Weight Watchers as long as it's documented - some insist on having it done with a physician or a registered dietitian. Ask your insurance company as they're all different.

yep. I can't buy anything without trying it on because sizing isn't reliable.

the few I've tried all have some sort of taste. Not super strong, but.... It's just that they haven't been flavored.

they're both good surgeries and you'll find lots of people who've been successful with either/or. There really isn't a bad choice - but your health issues may make one or the other more appropriate for you. I had GERD, so it was a no-brainer: RNY. I've been very happy with it.

" It is also permanent so there’s no going back" technically, the RNY *is* reversible. They just won't do it unless you have some serious medical issues that can't be resolved otherwise.

sorry - I thought I'd responded to this, but now I don't see my response. I did it from my phone, so maybe something got screwed up. Anyway, I'm not sure about the rationale for this, I was just told not to take anything in gummy form. I assume it's either an absorption issue or they might not have everything in them that we need - I'm not sure. But I do know a lot of people's surgeons don't recommend them.

they came out a couple of years ago. A lot of people like them because you just put the patch on your skin and forget it. I've been hanging around on these boards for quite awhile (this and another one), enough to know that they work well for most people, but they don't for everyone.....a few people ended up with some deficiencies after using them for a few months. I've never tried them because I'm afraid I'd be one ofthe unlucky ones, and I don't want to deal with vitamin deficiencies. But again, for most people, they work just fine.

I take Centrum Silver. It doesn't have iron in it, so it doesn't interfere with calcium absorption. I take two a day.

I think a lot of people read about people losing 30 lbs the first month and think that's the norm. So they think there's something wrong with them if they lose less than that, not realizing that those 30-lb people are outliers. I wish people were told that 15-25 lbs is the normal range for the first month, then people wouldn't get so freaked out when they don't lose 30 lbs (of course, there are a few who do, but most of us who've been around for awhile know that's NOT common). I've been the presenter at the "surgery patient Q&A" at my clinic's pre-op classes for the last 18 months or so and I tell the classes every time that 15-25 lbs the first month (and 10-12 lbs a month after that up until about the 6th or 7th month) seems to be the norm. I just don't like people to go into this with unrealistic expectations and think they're failing when they're not.

I've heard the same. Not from my surgeon's office (it's one of the brands they recommended, in fact), but from *a lot* of people on internet forums (who probably heard from their surgeons that they weren't the best option....). I figured I'd play it safe and go with Centrum (which was also recommended by my surgeon, by the way)

most bariatric clinics run their own classes after you've been accepted into their program if your insurance requires a six-month supervised diet, that can sometimes be done wherever (as long as it's supervised by a doctor or dietitian). I did my supervised diet before I was accepted into the surgery program, since my insurance specified that the diet be done any time within the last two years (prior to surgery). But all companies are different...

I was told not to take gummies *at all*. As in ever...

what were you expecting?? 35 lbs was more than I'd lost at eight weeks out. The #1 rule with this is, do NOT compare yourself to others. We all lose at different rates because of a whole host of factors (age, gender, starting BMI, metabolism rate, etc). If you stick to your plan, the weight will come off. You are doing just fine.

they're all different. Many are two weeks, but I've seen three or even four. Some are all no-cal liquids + protein shakes, some allow one small meal, some surgeons don't require a pre-op diet at all.

"It shows those of us in the pre -op stage that there r very real dangers to this surgery." fortunately, these kinds of situations are extremely rare. It's one of the safest surgeries out there.

definitely don't do the lapband. Lots of people have problems with it. In fact, a lot of surgeons refuse to do them anymore. Go with the sleeve or the bypass. They both have proven track records.

btw - many of us don't get physically hungry again for a few months - some up to a year. So use that to its full advantage!!

eat what you're supposed to (e.g., most programs require at least 60 grams of protein) so that you'll heal and won't get sick. Be glad that you're not hungry. It's super easy to lose weight when you're never hungry!!! But do make sure you're getting in your requirements so you stay healthy.

I had RNY at 55. I lost little to no hair. I have a lot of loose skin, but it's easy to hide. I wear elbow-length (or longer) sleeves and tuck my ab skin into my jeans or leggings, then wear a slightly oversized, longer top. No one knows it's there but me, my husband, and my doctor. I may have it taken off so I can wear other kinds of clothes (and besides I don't like looking at it when I get out of the shower), but then I think...why? It's easy to hide so...? note that I started out *way* heavier than you. One of the women I co-present with at pre-op groups had surgery at 50 and started about where you are, and she has a lot less excess skin than I do. It just looks like her stomach and thighs are wrinkled, basically. She also has batwing arms, but they're not very noticeable. She looks like a lot of people do when they're in their 50s and have had a couple of kids.

I lost 230 lbs, but admittedly I worked my a$$ off to do it. Many people at 300+ don't make it to normal weight - but losing 100 or 150 lbs is still a spectacular loss! I agree with the above poster - I might look into a DS if I were in your situation. You may need the malabsorption.

I just use Centrum (or the generic equivalent)

get back to your plan. Weigh/measure and track everything.

that far out, it would not be that unusual to plateau for a month or so. If it's more than that, you may want to decrease your calories a bit and see if that helps.

you should be OK as long as you follow the pre-op diet to a "T"

I'd personally go with the tried and true...